‘He’s got a heartache’: Suzanne Somers REVEALS Richard Simmons was ‘insecure’ before he disappeared from public view
Update: While the Internet was speculating over the disappearance of fitness guru Richard Simmons, the reclusive icon has finally broken cover. Days after the premiere of 'TMZ Investigates', a documentary 'What Really Happened to Richard Simmons' about his sudden departure from the public eye, the fitness icon resurfaced on social media to show his appreciation to his fans.
"Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love!" he wrote in an August 24 Facebook post, signing it, "Love, Richard." Simmons' rep added that the star "is so gratified by the outpouring of love and good wishes from his fans. He wants them to know he is doing well and sends all his best wishes back to them."
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Suzanne Somers has been opening up about her last conversation with fellow flamboyant workout icon Richard Simmons, who hasn’t been seen since 2014.
The workout star turned actress recalled her last encounter with Simmons in the new 'TMZ Investigates' documentary 'What Really Happened to Richard Simmons' and revealed how she observed his heartache and insecurities before he went off-grid. The workout icon, Simmons, 74 was last seen on February 15, 2014, when he locked down his fitness studio and cut himself off from the public eyes.
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Remembering the last moments, Somers said she was supposed to appear on 'Larry King Live' where Simmons was a regular guest throughout the years. “One night I was on the Larry King show and he was either going to be a guest or supposed to be a guest, and I heard through the Larry King people that he didn’t want to be on the show with me,” she said in a clip from the doc, obtained by People.
Somers went on, “I said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘She’ll make fun of me.’ And that’s not my style, I never make fun of anybody. But that’s when I realized a little insecurity has gotten in there.”
“I liked him. I was always so surprised when he thought I’d make fun of him. But doesn’t that show you he’s got a heartache? Something’s broken inside because he did it. He had it and then let it go,” the “Ageless” author added.
Simmons sort of made a comeback into the spotlight during the tough time of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2021. That time, the workout guru re-released an old workout video to help people stay fit during the lockdown period. But it is still unclear whether he uploaded the video or someone else got access to his YouTube channel.
The theories revolving around the disappearance of the workout icon got steamed up after the hit podcast 'Missing Richard Simmons', claimed that Simmons is being held hostage in his Hollywood Hills home by his housekeeper, possibly transitioning into a woman. Some theories even claim that he caught deep depression after the death of his 17-year-old dog, Hattie, and decided to vanish to fight his sadness.
In 2017, Simmons again made headlines when he sued two media tabloids that claimed he was transforming into a woman. The Simmons attorney said he supports transgender rights, but the allegations have defamed him.
Apart from Somers, the new documentary airing on Fox features interviews from writer Bruce Vilanch, and Simmons' longtime costume designer, Leslie Wilshire. 'TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons' premiered on Aug. 22 and can be streamed on Tubi on Aug. 30.